An automatically operating apparatus is disclosed for applying webs of rubber or similar lining material of predetermined width and length to expanded surfaces of walls of steel in vessels, reactors or apparatus and for pressing said webs thereagainst, with said apparatus comprising a guide frame for a drivable carriage and with said guide frame being easily mountable to follow surfaces of different lengths. Mounted on said carriage is an unwinding means for the web material as well as a drivable position and press head adapted to be moved in the longitudinal direction of said carriage. The assembly is such that during operation, said press head is caused to steadily move along a zick-zack path and, in the course of unrolling said web material from the supply reel, said head positions said web portion against the surface to be lined progressively from left to right and from right to left and presses said web portion thereagainst at a constant predetermined pressure. By means of devices mounted on said carriage, application of the webs is accomplished simultaneously with the formation of a seam overlapping with the previously applied web and finishing treatment of this overlap seam and the preparation of the next overlap seam, which means, obliquely cutting the open longitudinal edge of the web.